Sir Wira Gardiner (Ngati Awa, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Te Whakatohea, Ngati Pikiao) is active in the commercial affairs of Ngati Awa and serves on the council of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi. Wira has had a number of careers including working in the army, in public service and as a writer. While Lieutenant Colonel in the army he took up leadership and establishment roles in the public service, was the founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, the first general manager of the Iwi Transition Agency and the founding chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri. Wira led the Crown's consultation with the Treaty settlement proposals for the Bolger Government, the foreshore and seabed legislation for the Clark Government and the asset sales proposals for the Key Government. In 2008 Wira was knighted for his services to Maori and was appointed Chair of the Board of Te Papa Tongarewa in 2010.